LAHORE - Pakistan’s premier batsman Mohammad Yousaf is happy over his return to the domestic cricket and will lead Lahore Lions in the Faysal Bank Twenty20 Cup being commenced from December 2 to 10 in different venues in Lahore.
Yousaf has been out of international cricket since 2010 as he returned back home before the two-match Test series against South Africa in United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to fitness problem.
The master middle-order batsman Yousaf did not appear in the previous domestic season and made himself available for selection in Pakistan team. The selectors told him to play domestic cricket to prove his form and fitness but he was denied entry in the on-going Grade-1 President’s Cup because of late submission of his name by the Port Qasim Authority team.
According to a source, case of Yousaf and Shahid Afridi was under consideration in the Pakistan Cricket Board committee. Shahid Afridi also not appeared in the domestic cricket as he had gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. The committee decided the case in their favour and the two were inducted in Lahore and Karachi teams respectively. Afridi will lead Karachi Dolphins for Faysal Bank Twenty20 Cup to prove his form as he was struggling for the last six months and failed to deliver for Pakistan with willow and leather. This might be the last chance for Shahid Afridi to prove his mettle for India-bound squad. If he fails to impress selectors he would be out of national team.
Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Yousaf stated that he is keen to revive his career that was why he is taking part in domestic Twenty20 competition to prove his credentials. He said that T20 cricket is very popular in Pakistan and cricket crazy fans come in a large number to witness their heroes in action to boost their favourite players’ morale.
“I'm delighted to play in domestic cricket again after a long break and want to deliver to prove my mettle. I would try to attract once again selectors because of my performance for a place in the national team,” Yousaf concluded.